2017 Legislative Outlook By Troy Olsen, Ewald Consulting
O
n January 3, 2017 the Minnesota Legislature convened into session for the 2017-2018 Legislative Session.
Mark Dayton due to concerns over a drafting error which could have created a $100 million hole in the state’s budget.
Last November, all 201 Minnesota House and Senate seats were up for election. In addition, hotly-contested congressional races in Minnesota helped lead to record levels of spending by candidates, political parties and other groups on both Minnesota’s congressional and state legislative races.
Adding to the pressure of unfinished business will be the responsibility of passing a state budget before the legislature adjourns in late May. If a budget agreement between the House, Senate and Governor is not reached, a partial or full state government shutdown on July 1, 2017 is a real possibility.
After all the ballots were counted, Republicans in the state legislature were able to build off the national wave and gained seats across Minnesota in a presidential election year— something that historically has not happened often. Republicans in the Minnesota House of Representatives grew their existing majority from 73 members to 76 with potential to add an additional seat should they win a special election scheduled in February this year. Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) was re-elected Speaker of the House while Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) was elected House Minority Leader.
The Minnesota Legislative Action Committee (MLAC) welcomes Joe Crawford as its new chair and thanks Randy Christensen for his past leadership as chair.
Republicans in the Minnesota Senate received a net gain of six seats and now control the chamber with a slim 34 to 33 majority. Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) was elected Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) was elected Senate Minority Leader. With the 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session now underway, legislators are picking up with legislative business that was not completed during the 2015-2016 biennium. Though tax relief, transportation and infrastructure funding were top priorities of both the DFL and Republicans last year, legislative leaders were unable to find enough middle ground to pass legislation. Even when compromise could be found in the form of tax relief, a tax bill that passed on the final day of the legislative session was vetoed by Gov.
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Minnesota Communit y Living
As always, the MLAC will be monitoring the legislative session and directly lobbying legislators on behalf of CAI-MN members. Of immediate concern is anticipated legislation attempting to amend the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act to weaken Minnesota’s consumer protections on defective construction. Legislation introduced in the 2016 Legislative Session did not advance due to objections and concerns from MLAC and other groups. However, advocates of these changes have indicated they continue to be interested in pursuing these changes during the 2017 Legislative Session. As the session progresses, MLAC asks that CAI-MN members consider contacting their individual legislators to convey their opposition to weakening Minnesota’s consumer protection laws. Letters, personal visits and phone calls from constituents are effective tools in helping policy makers better understand issues as well as influence their policy positions and voting decisions. You can determine who your legislators are and find their contact information by visiting http://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/